"Hey, wait up," Luka hailed them as they exited the room, ushered out by Sage. "Scotch, Mason, can I have a word?"

River stepped up to him with her arms crossed. "You can, but me and Ginger gotta be here. We know all about it."

Christoph stopped. "There's something going on here and my intuitions tell me it's about OB."

Luka raised a brow at him. "Good intuitions, cadet," he said. "Very good."

Scotch frowned. Was there some condescending there? "Why didn't you tell me about you and Maya—"

"Cap told us to keep it secret. She didn't want us spreading the word and it getting out to the public just yet. The funding and all wasn't finalized until noon," Luka said. "And anyway, if you all gotta be here," He glanced around the hall, but everyone had gone off already, "keep it down, alright?"

"Hope you didn't tell Trinity what we're doin'." Scotch narrowed his eyes.

Mason scoffed but said nothing.

"Being in SSTF allows me to access files at the High Collection Police Headquarters. Maya thinks there might be additional information stored away there. The type that's hidden. The blue coded type. She thinks we should get it so that Trinity doesn't try to destroy it. Then we'd have that as evidence, we get Scuttle, and we reopen the trial."

As utopian as it sounded, it didn't make sense. Bran Borrecki was killed ten years ago. Ten years ago, a trial called forth a Human gang leader and made him out as the criminal for life. The Period of Respect—a week of respect to the captain that died—followed, but four days before it ended, Trinity took the position as captain. She was supposed to wait, but she didn't. Her reasoning was that it couldn't wait, but they'd already caught the criminal and she was acting captain already so there was no need to take the official title yet. Scotch frowned. Did Luka think he was stupid or something?

"Okay so, yeah, that's the plan. Have you heard from Ty?"

Scotch shook his head. Luka nodded and smiled. Then he ran off down the hall.

"I think I see what's going on, but you'll have to fill it in for me later," Christoph broke the silence. "Shall we at least try to find the items?"

They all agreed and soon seemed to put it behind them, trying to figure out the hints for the items. But Scotch was still hung up about Luka. Was Luka also in cahoots with Trinity or was he trying to help Scotch? Did Luka know Maya was in cahoots? It didn't sound like Tyler had texted Luka yet. Maybe Luka was on the bad side?

Didn't imagine Academy to be so dramatic. He sighed and stopped for the others had slowed down.

"Where are the other city slickers?" Mason asked. "Hey, Scotchie, you're good at this stuff, what's the last one?"

Scotch took the list from him and scanned through the items.

"The others already went home for the holidays," Christoph explained.

Mason narrowed his eyes. "And yer not goin'?"

He straightened his tie with a scoff. "I'd rather stay here than rot back home. So, what does it say?"

Scotch glanced up and sighed. "Grab it in your mouth, beware of the spikes. Tango time."

"Rose," River whispered.

"Saw one in the entrance. The big vase, yeah?" Mason was about to sprint, but Scotch held him back.

"We should check the others first and then make a plan."

"Roger."

"What's this," Christoph snatched the letter away and squinted at the squiggly hand or pawwriting, "T. F? Free friend or tree friend?"

"Free friend for a midnight treat, wearing a skirt on the bottom and a creamy wig. I know that." Mason grinned. "Cupcakes," he whispered, "snack bar."

Scotch eyed the last hint. He had been trying to figure out what the heck a 'swimming pasta for a good time' was. He pursed his lips. What kind of thing was a swimming pasta? The only noodle was the noodle in a pool.

"Pool noodle!" He burst out.

Christoph cracked a smile. "So, you villagies call them pool noodles, too?"

"Ginger and I will get the rose and cupcake. Outta be close by. You males get the pool noodle and don't get wet!" River said and grabbed Ginger. They ran off before Scotch could say anything. Maybe River was trying not to pair up with Mason, but Mason was. He winked at Scotch and ran after the females.

"I think I might just take one fer meself!" Ginger hollered as they all ran around the corner.

"Damn it, Mason!" Scotch groaned. "Guess it's you and me, peach cobbler."

"Why does a villagey like you know about peach cobbler anyway? It's city food."

"Where do you think the idea of marinatin' a peach came from, eh?" Scotch turned the corner of the hall. "We marinate oranges. Marmaglaid. Wow, who knew?" he scoffed. As they passed the entrance, he saw River brandishing a fake rose with a tag around it.

"It says Tango Time!" She grinned at Scotch and Christoph as they passed.

As if someone flipped on a switch, or River began half-howling and half-singing Tango Time which was a popular song a few years back.

"And then I got youuuu!" she howled. "I got you in my arms, uh, oh!" She danced, twirling around in place. "I'll go fetch Ginger!" she said and hurried off when someone shouted,

"The rose! She's got the rose! Get her before—"

"Come on, River, this way!" Mason grabbed her paw, grabbed the rose, and ran off. Scotch and Christoph were left in their dust as the chase back to the banquet hall ensued.

With a lip smack, Christoph turned to him. "So, he thinks he's saving a damsel in distress, huh?"

"Yep." Scotch rolled his eyes.

"So, you think Luka and Maya are blue coding with Trinity about the OB case?"

He eyed Christoph. The peach cobbler wasn't as stupid as he sometimes looked. "Pretty much."

"What's Scuttle?"

"Some female Human they claim took the OB case files from the archives at school, but then Ty makes it sound like the files are still there and there was a breech."

Christoph nodded. "He's there now?"

"I have a bad feeling," Scotch muttered under his breath when a buzz came to his phone. He snatched it out just as he and Christoph rounded the corner to the pool.

"It's Ty," he whispered, and Christoph stopped.

alex is here. got a gun. shot quinn.

"Shot Quinn?" he whispered.

"Damn, what?" Christoph said.

Scotch quickly texted back.

where are you?

The response was instant.

archives. It's a scuttle. a deal

A Scuttle? Scotch quickly texted back.

The one you talked about?

"Scotch!"

At the call he lifted his head just as Christoph pushed him. Scotch fell over, his Bolt fell from his paws and skidded across the tiled floor of the pool. He barely caught himself from hitting his face. The scent of chlorine filled his nose. Cursing filled his ears when a loud splash echoed around the pool.

"Got the noodle! See ya, suckers!" came a voice and a scamper of feet. Scotch lifted his head and saw Christoph swimming over to the edge of the pool as someone made off with, apparently, the only pool noodle in the entire pool.

"You saboteurs!" Christoph yelled and heaved out of the water. Scotch retrieved his Bolt—undamaged thanks to the protective case it was in.

"Thanks," Scotch said as he helped Christoph up.

"Well, I don't have my Bolt with me and besides, you villagies got it rough anyway." He gave a smirk.

"Heh," Scotch gave a dry laugh, "you stink of chlorine."

"It's the new trend," Christoph took off his tie and shook himself, "Let's head back. We've lost anyway."

As Christoph shuddered and dripped in his clothes, Scotch's mind was preoccupied. He glanced at his Bolt, but there were no more texts.

Ty? He texted.

When Scotch and Christoph passed the entrance there was River with Ginger and Mason eating a cupcake.

"What happened?" River said as soon as she noticed dripping wet Christoph. He shook his head and water droplets flung her way. "Watch it!"

"Some senior saboteurs." Scotch shrugged it off.

"Saboteurs?" Mason growled. "Are we really goin' to let those stupid seniors get away with sabotage?" His fur bristled. "They ain't played fair!"

Scotch touched his friend's shoulder, but Mason flung him away.

"I hate those kinds of bastards. They shouldn't become policemen." Mason crossed his arms and Scotch was in agreement with him, of course. Citizens who didn't follow even the simplest of rules should not be policemen, although, he couldn't completely agree with Mason on that because he and Mason certainly broke some rules at the beginning of the year.

Can't be angry with them long if we're doing the same. He grimaced.

Luka jogged over to them. "Still no news from Ty?"

"No," Scotch lied, "nothing to you?"

"Not a peep." Luka darted his gaze around them as if searching for someone.

"You've been acting jittery ever since the SSTF ceremony," Christoph said with a shiver in his voice. "I say there's something about SSTF we need to know."

Luka backed to the door. "There's nothing to say other than what Cap already said. Besides, neither Maya nor I told anything to Trinity. Why would we? She's our enemy."

"There's more to that. For ten years Trinity didn't do anything and now suddenly she's trying to do more to hide the case?" Scotch, being shorter than Luka, didn't stop him from grabbing Luka's collar. "What is going on?"

Luka tried to yank free when Mason grabbed his arms from behind. "Gotcha!"

Panic passed over his face. His eyes widened in fear. When he spoke, his voice was an octave higher. "I joined for justice, okay? Last year when it was brought up. Maya told me about it. That's all! Now let me go!"

"You'd work for Trinity knowing she's hiding something?" Scotch said.

"I want to do good for Halfhumans and Trinity promised that. Justice must be served to that damned female Human snooping around the OB case and opening all the wounds. What's done is done. I scared her off before she took the files and she's back so let me go!" Luka squirmed and struggled. Scotch lost his balance and fell over. Mason was thrown off. "We don't need to be rehashing the OB case. We need to move on!" he shouted, then he ran away.

Halfway out the door he hollered, "I spoke too much! She's going kill me!" He glanced over his shoulder but bolted out the door.

"He certainly did talk," Christoph gave a dry laugh. Scotch stood and went to help Mason to his feet. Luka was going back to, supposedly, apprehend the female Human that was trying to rehash the OB case. Whether or not Luka saw capturing her as being in cahoots with Trinity was unclear. He sounded like a crazy citizen operating on twisted justice.

Mason bared his fangs. "He knows it's bad, but he's goin' to let her get away with whatever evil she's gettin' away with! I'm convinced the female Human ain't bad. Your Pa saved her. I know it's her. Has to be. We should go find her."

Christoph cleared his throat. "I say we go back to CPA. And I want to change."

"Yeah, agree," Ginger said. Next to her, River was growling low. Scotch led the way and the rest soon followed, but then Sage stopped them.

"Sore losers, huh?" she said. Standing behind her was Maya. Scotch's fur bristled on instinctual fear, but he kept his face straight.

"Yeah, sabotaged by seniors which reminds me," Mason took a deep breath, "the seniors who stole our pool noodle can go suck it!"

"Mason," Scotch hissed. They didn't need that extra attention, thank you very much. He didn't want to stand around to chat any longer either. "Christoph got the blunt of it, so we thought we'd head on back as well. He's the only that knows the way back, too."

"That's fine. Be careful. Never know what's lurking in the shadows on a Cataloogy night," Sage said with a sly smile. Scotch hoped that had nothing to do with Trinity. How many citizens were involved in this? Apart from Crystal Hunters and possibly—strangely—Christoph, who could he trust?

Keeping a smile, Scotch thanked Sage for the party. Then he grabbed Mason by the arm and dragged him out with the others trailing behind.

Maya called his name.

"Might get a bit steamy as the rainy season comes along so tell keep umbrella's handy when you go out. Although I wouldn't expect Syaraize to be with any loads of rain this time of year. It's always heckling dry and dusty in that warped city."

She still expected them to go. Did she not think that he might have figured her out? Did she really think countryfolk were that stupid that they wouldn't see through her attempts to capture the female Human using him and Mason?

"Yeah, thanks," Scotch answered with a smile.

During the train ride, Scotch read over the texts from Tyler to the others and then everyone fell into silence, going into their own thoughts. It went from being a relatively awesome day to a confusing negative day. Scotch had anticipated getting into his father's case would be mentally and physically demanding, but he didn't think it would be this complicated.

Or that Trinity might have recruited citizens to further her concealment. He pondered. Or that Luka said 'What's done is done. Don't need to be rehashing the OB case'. It wasn't about rehashing it for the sake of rehashing it. It was about justice for his father. Scotch knew his father would have wanted him to find the truth. He'd even been leaving the breadcrumbs for Scotch to find out one day.

Those on the top, they ain't really on the top.

His father had been talking about the High Collection. Whatever they said, the lower guys had to do something about. Scotch suspected corruption wasn't just in Cataloogy Police, allowing Trinity to get away with such a weak trial. It ran deeper into the heart of their society. The fact that Trinity was able to allow a weak trial and to blue code showed Scotch that the higher top guys set rules that could be broken.

With no consequences and turning a blind eye. Broken police force that let's this kind of shite happen and broken government. Scotch's fur bristled at the realization. It wasn't just about OB now. If they could prove corruption was in abundance in Cataloogy, they could be whistleblowers of the Second Ring's law enforcement.

His heartbeat quickened as he stared out at nighttime Cataloogy with its sparkling lights and foreboding undertones.